Philippines Talks on Actions to Accelerate Implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
ATHENS 26 April 2024 – The Philippines stated its concrete actions to accelerate the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (MGB) during the panel discussion entitled, “Achieving 30x30 in the ocean: Recognizing local and national actions and announcing the 2024 Blue Park Awards” held on 17 April 2024 at the sidelines of the 9th Our Ocean Conference at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), Athens, Greece.
Undersecretary for Legal Administration Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr. of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Co-Head of the Philippine Delegation to the conference, said that to achieve the 30 by 30 targets by the decade’s end, the Philippines is dedicated to significantly increasing protected areas on both land and sea in line with the broader agenda of enhancing biodiversity conservation, addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development by 2030. He added that the aim is to advance towards the 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature.
Undersecretary Adobo stated three concrete actions by the Philippines on the implementation of the KMGBF. First, the DENR through its Biodiversity Management Bureau has developed an initial roadmap projecting an area coverage of 18.5% of terrestrial and 16% of marine protected areas in the Philippines under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) by 2023 and selected initially identified Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Second, the DENR is on the last stages of consultations in the updating of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, adopting a holistic and climate and disaster risk sensitive roadmap with specific targets, financing and implementing mechanisms to ensure the delivery of conservation outcomes including the establishment of clear and nationally-relevant criteria of identifying and recognizing OECMS. Third, the DENR will set up 7 new marine science research stations located in 6 biogeographic regions of the Philippines. It will enhance protection measures for the Tubbataha reef and will implement a focused species protection action plan for the Philippines’ endangered endemic species, as well as other science-based programs.
Undersecretary Adobo also highlighted the importance of engaging and collaborating with partners in various sectors, including private sectors, indigenous peoples and local communities in order to achieve the goal of protecting and conserving marine life and environment.
The side event was organized by the Bloomberg Ocean Fund and Marine Conservation Institute. Other panelists during the event included Nigerian Minister of State for the Environment Iziaq Salako, Greek Secretary General Natural Environment and Waters in the Ministry of Environment and Energy Petros Varelidis and Bloomberg Ocean Initiative Lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies Melissa Wright. END
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